Sean Connery leans on an Aston Martin DB5 while taking a break from shooting "Goldfinger" in the Swiss Alps. (Click to enlarge.)
LLC and United Artists Corporation, Danjaq

When the world first met James Bond on-screen in the 1962 film "Dr. No," it changed the way many people imagined the life of a secret agent.

Six actors and nearly 25 films after Bond's film debut, the Barbican Centre in London is commemorating the dapper life of James Bond with "Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style." The massive exhibit features 400 effects from the Bond movie franchise, ranging from rarely seen conceptual art and on-set photos to original costumes and props.

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Visitors can see how set designers like Sir Kenneth Adams originally imagined memorable locales such as the hidden volcano hideout in "You Only Live Twice," and gape at famous props like the original golden gun in "The Man with the Golden Gun" created by special-effects wizard John Stears.

Those with a fondness for vehicles featured in the movies can observe Connery's favorite 1964 Aston Martin DB5 or Pierce Brosnan's BMW motorcycle from "Tomorrow Never Dies."

About the author

Crave contributor Christopher MacManus regularly spends his time exploring the latest in science, gaming, and geek culture -- aiming to provide a fun and informative look at some of the most marvelous subjects from around the world.
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